Machine for washing test tubes, bottles, receptacles, pipettes, and like articles



March 26, 1957 A P. Hor-ER 2,786,480

` MACHINE FOR WASHING TEST TUBES, BOTTLES, RECEPTACLES, PIPETTES AND LIKE ARTICLESl Filed June 16, 1954 l 12 She'etS-Sheet 1 IN VEN TORZ I Flo.

,"J ...tm A LFE-TER lloFR l BY - da ,armemfx March 26. 1957 P. Hol-'ER 2,786,480 MACHINE FOR WASHING TEST TUBES. BOTTLES, RECEFTACLES, PIPETTESJ AND LIKE ARTICLES Filed June 16, 1954 2 SheetSheet 2 l INVENTOR.

PETER HOF'ER Peter Hofer, New York, N. Y.,

Machinery Company, New York, N. Y.,

Application June 16, 1954, Serial No. 437,083 21 Claims. (Cl. 134-171) assigner to Better Built a partnership This invention relates to machines for washing test tubes, bottles, receptacles, pipettes and the like articles.

An object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a casing provided with a front opening closed by a door pivoted adjacent its lower end to the front wall of the casing and swingable upwardly to close the casing and downwardly to horizontal position to open the casing, said door being provided with rail means, and said casing being provided with rail means, and a header placeable on the rail means on the door when the door is swung down to horizontal open position and said header being adapted to be pushed into the casing, and the casing being provided with horizontal rail means forming a continuation of the rail means on the door, to support the header as the header is pushed into the casing, said header being provided with a coupling element engageable with a fixed coupling element adjacent the back wall of the casing, the arrangement being such that as the header is pushed into the casing, the coupling elements will interengage to form a sealed coupling so that water may be passed through the coupling into the header for washing test tubes, bottles or other articles placed thereon, the construction being such, furthermore, that the header may be pulled out after the washing operation, to automatically uncouple or disengage the coupling elements after the water supply has been shut off.

Another object of this invention is to provide a highly improved header for a machine of the character described, having mounted thereon a plurality of vertical spindles, each spindle comprising a lower non-metallic tube mounted on and communicating with the header, and extending upwardly therefrom, a metallic tube of non-rusting metal attached to the non-metallic tube and projecting upwardly therefrom, and an upper tip of non-metallic, synthetic plastic or rubber-like material at the upper end of the metallic tube, whereby test tubes, bottles or the like may be placed on the spindles in inverted position so tha-t the non-metallic tips will contact the bottoms of the inverted test tubes or bottles and hence prevent breakage and bring the water right up to the bottoms of said tubes and bottles to insure a thorough cleaning.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a header movable on rails into a washing machine and highly improved coupling means for automatically coupling the header to a water supply when the header is inserted into the machine and for disconnecting the coupling automatically when the header is pulled out of the washing machine.

Still a further object of lthis invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a highly improved coupling comprising a male coupling element formed with a plurality of annular external grooves, continuous sealing rings of compressible material within said grooves having external diameters slightly larger than external diameter of said portion of the male coupling element, and a female coupling element to receive the grooved portion nited States Patent O 2,786,480 Patented Mar. 26, l 1957 ice of the male coupling element, with the internal diameter of the female being such that when the male and female elements are interengaged the rings are pressed against the inner surface of the female coupling element and against the male coupling element to provide a leak-proof seal for water passing through the coupling. f

Still a further object of this invention is to provide in a machine of the character described, a header comprising a central pipe of synthetic plastic material and branch pipes of synthetic plastic material extending outwardly therefrom in opposite directions, spindles attached to the central pipe and to the branch pipes and projecting upwardly therefrom on which to mount test tubes, bottles and other receptacles to be washed, a pair of frames attached to the outer ends of the branch pipestransverse shafts interconnecting said-frames, and Wheels on said shafts adapted to roll on rails on the door of the washing machine and on rails within the washing machine so that the header may be rolled from the door to the inside of the washing machine and to permit the door to be swung up and closed after the header is fully within the washing machine.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide in a. washing machine of the character described, handles on the side frames of the header to facilitate handling of the header, and a rod fixed to the front end of the header against which the body of the operator may push when riding the header on the door, said rod also serving as handles for pulling the header out of the machine to disconnect the coupling between the header and the water supply.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide in a washing machine of the character described, a fixed coupling member and a pipe adapted to contain pipettes, said pipette container being provided with a movable coupling element engageable with the fixed coupling member to provide a water-proof seal, and said pipette container having at its forward end a screen cap so that water passing through the coupling may pass through the pipette container and out through the screen cap for washing pipettes placed therein. f

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the washing machine embodying the invention and showing .the door swung down in open position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the header coupled to the fixed coupling element within the casing of the washing machine;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of the door of the Washing machine in downwardly swung open position;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Y

Fig. 7 is a fron-t elevational view showing the frame of the opening in the casing which receives the door;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating a modification for washing pipettes.

Referring now to the drawing in more detail, 10 designates a washing lmachine embodying the invention. The same comprises a casi-ngr 1.1 having a back wall 12, a top wall 13, and a front wall 14. The front wall 14 may be formed with an opening 15 to be closed by a door 16. At the sides and top of the Iopening 15 in the front wall 14 of the casing is a channel 17. The door 16 comprises a at sheet of metal 19 which may be hinged to the inside of the casing on pintles or hinges 20 located adjacent the lower end of the door opening 15. Thus the door 16-is swung downwardly to open horizontal posit-ion but may be swung upwardly to vertical closed position closing the opening in the front wall 14 of the casing.

Att-ached to the inner surface of plate 19 is a flange 23 which is received -in the channel 17 of the casing.

It 4will be noted that channels 17 extend at the sides and at the top of the door opening i5 and the flanges 23 also extend at the sides and at the top of the door when the door is closed to be received in the three corresponding sides of the channel 17. Fixed to the inner surface of plate 19 are `a pair of parallel rail members extending from front to rear, when the door is swung down to open position. Plate 19 may be formed with a central opening 26 closed by glass plate 27 or in any -other suitable manner so that a person may look into the inside of the machine when the door is closed. Plate 27 is held by a bezel or frame 27a onto the door.

` It will be noted that the lower end of the door projects into the casing as shown in Fig. l of the drawing. it will also be noted that the rails 24 project into the casing when the door is open or in horizontal position. The rear projecting ends of rails 24 are cut away as at 24a to form extending lugs 246.

Fixed within the casing on -any suitable supports are a pair of parallel rails 30 which are in alignment with the rails 24, thus extending from front to rear. Said rails 3@ are formed at their front ends with end rails 30a providing extending lugs 30h engaging lugs 24b of rails 24 to hold said door 16 and the rails 24 thereon in horizontal position when the door is swung down. Thus when the door is swung down, interengaging lugs 24b, 3% provide continuity for rails 24 and 30. The purpose of these rails will be explained hereinafter.

The back wall 12 is formed with an opening 31 and extending through said opening is a iixed pipe 32. At the 4front end of the fixed pipe 32 is a male coupling element 33. Coupling element 33 comprises a front end portion 34 of somewhat larger diameter than the pipe 32. The portion 34 is formed with la pair of parallel spaced annular grooves 35. The front end of portion 34 has an external lforwardly and inwardly tapered surface 36. Within the grooves 35 are continuous rings 37 of rubber-like material. Preferably 4the material is compressi-ble and resilient. These rings may -be of circular cross section. However, if desired, these rings may be replaced by any suitable seal yrings such as pressure seals for rotary shafts. However these seals should be continuous rings and not split rings. The outer diameters of the rings 37 are normally somewhat greater than the portion 34 of the male coupling element. The purpose of the male coupling element is to be received in a female coupling element 4@ att-ached to the forward end 41 of a header 42.

The header 42 comprises a central pipe portion 43 which may be made of a synthetic plastic material and which extends from front to rear. Extending outwardly to opposite sides of central pipe 43 `are a series of horizontal outwardly extending branchpipes 44. Pipes 44 may also be made of synthetic plastic non-metallic material. Pipes 44 may be attached to the pipe 43 in any suitable manner. The outer ends of the pipes 44 may be capped by any suitable caps 45. The pipes 44 are parallel to one another and .the axes of pipes 43 and 44 are in a single horizontal plane. The pipe end 41 has external threads and lis screwed into an internally threaded portion 46 of the female pipe element 49. Said female pipe element 4l) has a front open end 47 and it has a forwardly land outwardly tapered front end portion 49. It also has an internal surface 50 of a diameter somewhat less than the normally external diameter of the sealing rings 37.

It will now be understood that when the male and -female coupling elements are interengaged, the inner surface 50 will compress the rings 37 and press them against the surfaces Iof the grooves 35 to form a water-proof seal. The tapered portion 36 engaging within the tapered opening 49 facilitates the insertion of the male coupling element with the female coupling element when the header isk moved toward the Ifixed male coupling element, as will be seen hereinafter.

Attached to the front end of the pipe 43 is a cap 51. Cap 51 may be of metal and attached thereto is a horizontal -diametric rod 53 which extends 'to opposite sides of the cap. It will be noted that the pipe 32 is metal and the coupling elements are of metal. The pipes 44 may be attached to the pipe 43 by threading the inner ends ofthe pipes 44 into the pipe threaded openings in pipe 43.

Attached to the outer ends of the pipes 44 are a pair of parallel, longitudinal supporting frames 6d. Each supporting frame 69 comprises a top 'bar 61 resting on the pipes 44 adjacent the caps 45 and parallel to the central pipe 43. It further comprises a bottom bar 62 contacting the undersides of the pipes 44 and disposed directly below the bar 61. The bars 61 and 62 are interconnected by a plurality of bolts 63 disposed between pipes 44 and at the outer sides of the end pipes 44. Thus the bars 61 and 52 are clamped tightly tothe outer ends of the pipes 44. Each of the top bars 61 carries a Usbaped strap handle 64 welded thereto to facilitate handling the header. Attached to each of the lower bars 62 adjacent the front and rear ends thereof by means of central bolts 66 are vertical tubes 67 through which bolts 66 pass. The tubes 67 contact the undersides of the bar 62 and extend downwardly therefrom, their lower ends are out away to receive the outer ends of a pair of transverse parallel tubular shafts 70. The bolts 66 pass through suitable aligned openings in the shafts 70 to thus clamp said shafts and the tube 67 to the supporting frames di?.

yOn each of the shafts 70 are pairs of spaced collars 71 fixed to the shaft by set screws 72 or in any other suitable manner. On Ithe shaft and between each pair of collars 71 is a wheel or roller 73 which may be made of nylon or any other suitable material. Each wheel 73 comprises a cylindrical portion 74 from which extends an annular ange 76 of increased diameter. The wheels 73 ride on the rails24. Thus the header may be placed on the rails 24 of the door lr6 when the door is swung down in horizontal position. Thereafter the header may be pushed inwardly to pass onto the fixed rails 3i? within the casing. As the `hea-der is pushed towards the rear wall 12 the female coupling element 423 will be received on the male coupling element 34 to automatically effect a water seal.

The central pipe 43 and the branch pipes 44 are formed with la plurality of top spaced through-openings Sli. Fixed within openings 80 are small tubes Slt of synthetic plastic material. Received within the upper end of each tube Si is the lower end of a stainless steel tube 52. Fixed on the upper end of the stainless steel tube 32 is a tip $3, likewise preferably made of non-metallic plastic or rubber-like material. Tip 83 has central through opening 84. It is formed with ya lower portion S5 of reduced diameter received within tube S2. It has an upper portion 86 of an external diameter similar to the external diameter of the tube S2 and forming la shoulder ccntacting the upper end of the tube 82.

Test tubes, bottles or other glass containers may be pliced on the spindles 81, 82, 33 in inverted condition. The non-metallic .tip S6 contacting the bottom of the test tube or receptacle or bottle will not break it. Water passing through the tube 32 and coupling 34, 4t) will pass through pipe portion 41 to pipe 43 and through branch pipe 44 and to the spindles. The stream of water will project upwardly into the inverted test tube, bottles, or other containers and will wash them thoroughly. lt will be noted that the water will reach the bottoms of the inverted test tubes and receptacles so as to insure a thorough washing.

After the header is inserted into the machine the door is of course swung up and closed. After the washing operation the water is turned o fr. The door may then be swung down to horizontal position. After the door is fully opened, bar 53 may begrasped and the header pulled out so that the wheels 73 ride from the rails 30 onto the rails 24. When the header is on the door the header may be lifted by means of the handle 64 and another header placed on the door with more test tubes and the like receptacles to be cleaned mounted thereon. Thus one header may be prepared with the dirty test tubes and bottles while another one is in the machine during the washing operation.

in Fig. 9 there is shown a back wall 12 of the casing and the iixed pipe 32 passing therethrough carrying the male coupling element 34 and the sealing rings 37. Fitted thereon is a female coupling 40 to which is attached the cylindrical tube 10G. Screwed to the outer end of the tube 100 is a cap 101 formed with a central opening 102. Covering the opening in the cap is a metal screen 103 held against the back flange of the cap by a collar 104. Cap 101, may be screwed to the pipe 100 as at 105. Pipettes 106 may be placed in chamber 106 formed by the cylindrical tube 100. Pipe 100 is screwed as at 107 to the internally threaded portion 46 of the female coupling member 40. Thus pipe 100 constitutes a pipette container. Water passing through the pipe 32, coupling members 34 and 40 passes through the pipe 100 and cleans the pipettes 106 therein. Water passes out of the pipe 100 through the screen 103. Screen 103 is remov yable for replacement.

lt will be noted that in the case of the pipette container likewise the said container may be coupled to the coupling member 34 by merely shoving'the female coupling member 40 onto the male coupling, thus automatically forming a water-proof seal. This construction nevertheless allows the container 100 together with the female coupling member 40 to be pulled olf the male coupling member when desired.

Having thus described the invention in some detail,l what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a washing machine, a casing having a front wall formed with an opening, a door hinged to the front Wall to close said opening, `said door being swingable downwardly and forwardly from vertical closed position to horizontal open position, rails on sai-d door extending from front to rear, fixed rails within the casing aligned with the door rails, a header on wheels adapted to ride on the door rails and onto the rails Within the casing, a pipe to receive water supply within the casing, and interengageable aligned coupling elements on said header and pipe and being adapted to become interengaged when the header is pushed from the door into the casing and said coupling including a water tight seal.

2. In a washing machine, in combination, a casing, a fixed pipe in the casing, a sleeve receivable on said pipe, said pipe having a plurality of external grooves, continuous rings of compressible, rubber-like material within said grooves contacting the inner surface of the sleeve and pressed thereby against surfaces of the grooves, a second pipe attached to said sleeve and water outlet means on said second pipe, and means in said casing to guide said second pipe to cause said sleeve to telescope with said lirst pipe upon moving said second pipe on said guide means.

3. in a washing machine, in combination, a casing, a fixed pipe in said casing, a sleeve slidably and removably received on said fixed pipe, water seal means interposed between the outside of the pipe and the inside of the sleeve, a header attached to lsaid sleeve, spindles attached to said pipe and extending upwardly therefrom, rails in said casing, and wheel means on said header adapted to ride said rails, said rails being located to cause said sleeve to be received on said fixed pipe when said header is moved on said rails.

4. The combination of claim 3, each spindle comprising a metal tube and a tip of non-metallic, soft material at the upper end of said tube, and said tip having 6 an axial through-opening vand projecting above the upper end of said tube.

5. In a washing machine, a casing, havingY a wall formed with an opening, a door hinged to the wall adjacent the lower end of the opening and being swingable upwardly to close said opening, said door being swingable from vertical closed position downwardly to an open horizontal position, rails 0n said door, fixed rails within the casing aligned with the door rails,`a fixed pipe within the casing adapted to receive -a water supply, a pipe coupling element on said fixed pipe, a header, wheels on said header adapted to ride on the door rails and adapted to be pushed from the door rails onto the iixed rails within the casing, and a pipe coupling element on said header telescoping with the first mentioned coupling element when the header is pushed into the casing, one of said coupling elements having a groove, a continuous ring of compressible material within said groove and the other coupling element being adapted to press the ring against a surface of the groove to form a water tight seal when said coupling elements vare telescoped.

6. The combination of claim 5, said header comprising a pipe of synthetic plastic material and extending horizontally, a vertical pipe attached to the horizontal pipe and extending upwardly therefrom and communicating therewith andlikewise made of synthetic plastic material, a metal tube having its lower end received within said vertical pipe, and a tip fitted onto the upper end of said metal tube and extending thereabove, said tip being made of soft, rubber-like material and being formed with a through-opening.

7. The combination of claim 5, said header comprising a central horizontal pipe, branch pipes extending out wardly from and communicating with the central pipe and disposed horizontally, vertical spindles extending upwardly from the central and branch pipes, frames attached to the outer ends of the branch pipes, transverse horizontal shafts supported by said frames, and said wheels being rotatably mounted on said shafts.

8. In combination, a casing, a header comprising a central pipe, horizontal branch pipes extending from the central pipe on both sides thereof, spindles attached to said central and'branch pipes and extending upwardly therefrom, frames attached to the outer endsof said branch pipes, a pair of horizontal shafts supported by said frames, wheels rotatably mounted on said shafts, a coupling element attached to one end of said central pipe, a fixed coupling element complementary to the coupling element on the central pipe and located within said casing, said coupling elements having interengageable water-seal means, and rail means in said casing engageable by said wheels.

9. In combination, a header comprising a central pipe, branch pipes extending upwardly from the central pipe, frames attached adjacent the outer ends of the branch pipes, transverse shafts carried by said frames, Wheels on said shafts, and spindles xed to said central and branch pipes and extending upwardly therefrom, and handles attached to said frames, in combination with a cap at one end of said central pipe and a bar fixed to said cap and extending to opposite sides thereof.

10. In combination, a header comprising a central pipe, branch pipes extending upwardly from the central pipe, frames attached adjacent the outer ends of the branch pipes, transverse shafts carried by said frames, wheels on said shafts, spindles fixed to said central and branch pipes and extending upwardly therefrom, handles attached to said frames, in combination with a cap at one end of said central pipe and a bar xed to said cap and extending to opposite sides thereof, a sleeve fixed to the opposite end of said central pipe, a pipe received in said sleeve and formed with external grooves with O rings of compressible material within said grooves adapted to be pressed against surfaces of the grooves by said sleeve.

l1. In combination, a casing, a pair of telescoping pipe @eenling elements, one having a groeve, a continuous ring of compressible material in the groove, the other being adapted to press the ring against a surface of the groove, a horizontal header attached to one of sai'd eoupling elements and `communicating therewith, vertical spindles on said header and communicating therewith, and the other of said coupling elements being fixed in said casing.

12. In combination, a casing, a pair of telescoping pipe coupling elements, one having a groove, a continuous ring of compressible material in the groove, the other being adapted to press the ring against a surface of the groove, a horizontal header attached to one of said coupling elements and communicating therewith, vertical spindles on said header and communicating therewith, and wheels rotatably mounted on said header, the other of said coupling elements being fixed in said casing, and rails in said casing engageable by said wheels.

13. In combination, a casing, a pair of telescoping pipe coupling elements, one having a groove, a continuous ring of compressible material in the groove, the other being adapted to press the ring against a surface of the groove, a horizontal header attached to one of said coupling elements and communicating therewith, vertical spindles on .said header and communicating therewith, wheels rotatably mounted on said header, handles on said header, the other or" said coupling elements being fixed in said casing, and rails in said casing engageable by said wheels.

14. In a washing machine, a casing having a front wall formed with an opening, a door hinged to the front wall to close said opening, said door being swingable downwardly and forwardly from vertical closed position to horizontal open position, rails on said door extending from front to rear, fixed rails within the casing aligned with the door rails, a header on Wheels adapted toride on the door rails and onto the rails within the casing, a pipe to receive water supply within the casing, and interengageable aligned coupling elements on said header and pipe and being adapted to become interengaged when the header is pushed from the door into the casing and said coupling including a water tight seal, and tubular spindles fixed to the header and extending upwardly therefrom, on which. to mount vessels to be Washed, in inverted position.

15. in a device as set forth in claim 14, and tubular rubber-like tips at the upper ends of said spindles.

16. in a Washing machine, a casing having a front Wall formed with an opening, a door hinged to the front wall to close said opening, said door being swingable downwardly and forwardly from vertical closed position to horizontal open position, rails on said door extending from front to rear, xed rails within the casing aligned with the door rails, a header on wheels adapted to ride on the door rails and onto the rails within the casing, a pipe to receive water supply Within the casing, and interengageable aligned coupling elements on said header and pipe and being adapted to become interengaged when the header is pushed from the door into the casing and said coupling including a water tight seal, and tubular spindles ixed to the header and extending upwardly therefrom, on which to mount vessels to be washed, in inverted position, said door rails and fixed rails having interengaging means to limit downward swing of the door and to provide continuity for said rails. i

17. In combination, a casing having a back wall and a trent Wall, said from Wall bains formed with an Opening, a door for said opening, a fixed pipe in the back wall and Prenestina forwardly therefrom, a Pipe Coupling @le ment on the xed pipe, a header movable into the casing through the opening in the front wall when said door is open .so that the door may be closed after the header is in the casing, a complementary coupling element on the rear of the header telescopingly detachably attachable to the tirst coupling element, said coupling elements being so positioned that they will interengage when the header is inserted through the opening rearwardly toward the rear wall so that Vsaid header may receive water passing from the fixed pipe and through said attached coupling elements, and spindle means on the header to receive test tubes, bottles and the like for washing same.

18. In a washing machine, a casing having an opening, a door for said opening, a water pipe fixed to and projecting into said casing, a pipe coupling element on said pipe, a member having a through passage for water passing from an inlet to an outlet on said member, said member being provided with means to carry articles adapted to be washed by Water passing through said member, a coupling element on said member, complementary to the coupling element on said supply pipe and detachably interengageable therewith upon moving said member through said door opening and toward and into sliding telescopic engagement with said first coupling element, to provide a water seal connection from said supply pipe to said member.

19. The combination of claim 18 in combination with rails fixed in the casing, and means on said member engageable with the rails to guide said member from the door opening toward said supply pipe so that said coupling elements may telescopicaily interengage.

20. In a Washing machine, in combination, a casing having a back Wall and a front Wall, said front wall being formed with a door opening, a door for said opening, a fixed pipe adjacent the back wail and projecting forwardly therefrom, a pipe coupling element on said fixed pipe, a member movable into the casing through the opening in the front wall when said door is open so that the door may be closed after said member is in said casing, said member being formed with a through passage for water and being provided with means for carrying articles to be washed by water passing through said mem ber, a complementary coupling element at the rear of said member telescopingly detachably attache-.ble to the first coupling element, said coupling elements being so positioned that they will interengage upon moving said member toward the rear wall.

21. The combination of 'claim 20 in combination with mutually engageable rail means in the casing and on said member to guide the coupling element on said member toward the coupling member on said fixed pipe.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,417,162 Gagen May 23, 1922 1,538,007 Schellin May 19, 1925 2,222,676 Mahler Nov. 26, 1940 2,379,789 Cozzoli uly 3, 1945 2,438,530 Woodling Mar. 30, 1948 2,573,798 Low Nov. 6, 1951 2,692,163 Geel Oct. 19, 1954 

